For a child, reading is critical to the foundation of all future learning. That's why we're celebrating National Literacy Month, which promotes a love of reading among children.

Reading with a child for just 20 minutes a day can help develop their love of books and reading - critical to the foundation of all future learning. Children LEARN TO READ through the 3rd grade, and by the 4th grade, they READ TO LEARN. Without gaining the necessary skills that reading provides during their early years, starting and staying behind in school can be the inevitable result.

We know that kids who aren't reading on grade level by the 3rd grade are 4x more likely to dropout of high school. And 75% of prison inmates do not have a high school diploma.

So it's pretty simple. Our kids must learn to read and the best way to encourage a love of reading is for parents and caregivers to read to children every day, even as babies.

Here are 7 tips to make reading with children fun and engaging!

1. Read anywhere. It doesn't have to be right before bedtime - at the grocery store, waiting in the doctor's office or watching a ballgame, street signs and outdoor boards - look for opportunities to connect objects to the words that go with them. Children experience all kinds of text!
2. Choose books that are interesting to your child, have engaging photos and expand your child's vocabulary.
3. Have fun. Talk loudly, talk softly, buzz like a bee, chirp like a bird, hiss like a snake or make the creak sound of a door. Be expressive. Sing, rap or chant the words too.
4. Engage the child. "Tell me about the puppy" or "Why do you think he looks sad?" or "What do you think will happen next?" Let the child follow along with a finger and turn the pages.
5. Talk about how words are used in the story. "What do you think the word 'lonely' means?" or "Have you ever felt lonely?"
6. Sing songs. Most songs are really poems set to music - they have rhythm and rhyme, two important elements that can help build reading skills.
7. Be a cheerleader. Offer specific praise, such as "good job sounding that word out!" Give kids time to figure out words and encourage them along the way!

Books help promote literacy outside of the classroom, but many of our children don't have the simple luxury of owning even one. You have the power to change a child's story! Volunteer now during National Literacy Month as a reader or mentor at metrounitedway.org/rtm to help give a child the opportunity at a happily ever after.

And share with us: what was your favorite book as a child?